One England player refuses to shake hands with Thomas Partey before Ghana clash
One England player snubbed a handshake with Thomas Partey after the FA allowed players to make their own decision for the clash with Ghana.
Partey, who is Ghana's vice-captain, lined up in midfield for Ghana in Boston after being refused entry into Canada for the Black Stars' opening win over Panama in Toronto.
The former Arsenal midfielder is awaiting trial in London for seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, having pleaded not guilty.
For the mandatory pre-match handshake, it was reported by The Times that the FA did not take a clear stance and instead had told players it was up to them whether they shook hands with Partey.
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The moment Partey walked past in the tradition was not shown on the broadcast feed as cameras cut away.
However, fan footage from the stadium which circulated online appeared to show Djed Spence being the only England player who did not extend his hand to Partey.
The footage appeared to validate the claim from journalist Owuraku Ampofo, who was in attendance at the game.
The Flashscore reporter took to X and wrote: "From where I’m sitting at the stadium looks like Djed Spence ignored Thomas Partey in the pre-match handshake".
In addition, James Olley of ESPN followed up and said: "Looked as though Djed Spence didn't shake hands with Thomas Partey before kick-off here."
The Spurs defender, England's first Muslim player to play at a World Cup, made his first start after an impressive cameo against Croatia.
Partey currently plays his club football with Villarreal in Spain, having left Arsenal on a free in 2025 after five seasons at the Emirates Stadium.
He played alongside England midfielder Declan Rice for two seasons at Arsenal.
Jenny Wiltshire, Partey's defence lawyer, said he "continues to deny all charges against him".
Partey's name was loudly booed when he was announced in Ghana's starting eleven before the game and jeers ensued every time he touched the ball at the Gillette Stadium.
When news emerged that Partey has not been allowed entry into co-host nation Canada, FIFA issued a statement confirming his visa application had been "refused by the Canadian government".
FIFA said "the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."
Ghana's government called the decision "extremely" unfair as Partey has not been convicted of a crime.
They lodged an appeal which ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Partey is free to play in the United States, however, having had an application accepted. He had no issues in Ghana's training base Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island and was re-integrated into the side against England in Boston.
He is free to move states and will be able to play against Croatia in Philadelphia if fit and available.
"If the player is here with me, my answer is clear," manager Carlos Queiroz said on the matter.
"I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here, so what are we talking about?
"This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.
"Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow, and one day, when the river meets the ocean, we are going to find the truth."
However there could be an issue if Ghana finish second in Group L as they would be set to return to Canada, where Partey is banned, for the round of 32.
Topics: England, FIFA World Cup, Football
Josh Lawless